Put Us On The Map! How To Claim Your Business Listing In Google
Today, search engines are incredibly capable in their ability to match relevant content to the search query. For example, when someone wants to purchase flowers online, they wouldn’t just query “florists” in Google. Instead, they would concatenate that term with a geographic location, “Florists in Austin.” The results for this query will include a business listing and map. Claiming your business listing can result in greater visibility for your company.
Although there is significant value in claiming this listing, many business owners have yet to register. This month, 360Partners has invited Timothy Nobles of WordsGoHere to share specific steps to claim your listing.
How To Claim Your Local Business Listing In Google
Step 1: To claim your business listing, you need to navigate to Google Places. After logging in with a business alias email, you will find "the form." (Please note, client info is being masked intentionally.)
Step 2: After filling out the form, you have the opportunity to assign the business to up to 5 categories. When choosing the categories, try to match with existing categories. A single brick and mortar business will typically be better served using existing categories. But, there is nothing wrong with creating a custom category. If you are in doubt about which categories to select, take a few minutes to explore what categories competitive businesses have chosen.
Step 3: You now have the chance to enter additional metadata about your business: hours of operation, parking, pet friendliness, etc.
Additionally, Google’s Local Business Center has been playing with an offer of paying for content. The content is visual in nature, such as photos and videos that can showcase the uniqueness of your business.
As a general rule, we’re finding that any business that relies on a customer visiting their store for a positive experience will benefit from this additional offering.
Step 4: Once you’ve completed the data entry portion of this
process, it is likely that Google will have an existing listing for your
business. Don’t worry if your listing already exists as it is likely that local
directories and the search engine’s
web crawling have
connected the data. More times than not, this is the screen that you will get:
If your listing is already in the Google database, Google will offer you the chance to merge the information. We recommend that you merge and update your listing. When you click to merge, a confirmation pop-up greets you:
Step 5: The final step in the process is to validate the listing. The search engines have to know you are who you say you are. They do this by giving you a 4 digit PIN number to enter. The Local Business Center offers two ways to receive the PIN.
One is by phone. They will call the main business number as
listed to tell you the PIN. Be sure someone is prepared for this call on the
other end. It usually sends off in about 3 seconds from the time you hit go.
The automated voice will tell you what you need to know to complete the claiming of your listing.
The other is through the regular mail system. Typically, when merging a listing, the search engines want to verify that you are physically where you say you are in addition to being who you say you are. To verify this, they will mail a postcard to the address as listed. Again, be sure you have someone checking the mail and watching for a letter from Google (and alert them to the fact that it is not mail spam).
At this point you are basically done. The
PIN typically arrives in 2-3 weeks. When it arrives, log back into
Google’s Local Business Center and enter the PIN. This will complete the claiming of your listing!
Summary:
360Partners believes that businesses benefit by claiming their local business listing. It increases online presence and exposure for free. If you’re interested in claiming your business listing but need some help, feel free to get in touch with 360Partners. We’d be happy to help and ensure you get your listing approved and showing. Contact searchmarketing@360partners.com
About Words Go Here:
Words Go Here is a boutique digital agency that specializes in Digital Visibility and Content Strategies for national brands as well as developing strategies for large scale, vertical specific, organic search engine optimization projects. Words Go Here provides solutions for the assisted hearing, hospitality, automotive, motorsports, and community financial Industries. Words Go Here is located in Nashville, TN.
